The United States Men’s National Team defeated Paraguay 4-1 on Friday night at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., on Matchday 1 of Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A Paraguay own goal, a Folarin Balogun brace and a Gio Reyna exclamation point paved the way for the U.S. while Maurício scored a consolation for La Albirroja.
The United States opened the scoring inside seven minutes when Christian Pulisic beat two defenders down the left flank and picked out Weston McKennie in the box. The Juventus midfielder’s attempted cross was redirected off Damián Bobadilla and into the net for an own goal.
The U.S. was all over Paraguay in the first half, dominating possession, field tilt and attacking threats. The Yanks doubled their advantage in the 31st minute when Antonee Robinson played Pulisic in behind the Paraguayan defense. The Hershey, Pa., native dropped a pass into the path of Balogun, who opened his hips and one-timed his shot past Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Chris Richards was inches away from adding a third in the 37th minute when he rose for a header off a corner kick, but his effort skipped just past the far post.
The U.S. found their third goal in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time when Malik Tillman played a lovely through ball for Balogun. The Monaco forward did well to body his man before cutting to the middle of the box and firing a left-footed strike into the top left corner for his brace.
Paraguay came out inspired to start the second half, but they did not create any legitimate chances to test U.S. and New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese. Paraguay pulled one back out of seemingly nothing in the 73rd minute when Julio Enciso collected a ball off a long free kick from Gill and picked out the run of Maurício. The Brazilian youth international, who switched allegiances to Paraguay earlier this year, buried his shot into the bottom corner to give Paraguay life.
Tillman had an opportunity to erase Maurício’s goal one minute later when he and Ricardo Pepi combined off a turnover in Paraguay’s defensive third, but Tillman’s eventual shot from the top of the box was hit directly at Gill.
Pepi had a chance for a fourth goal in the 88th minute after McKennie drove the end line and cut the ball back, but the PSV forward’s effort soared over the crossbar.
Reyna iced the match in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time when he finished off a beautiful, long buildup by burying a trivela from the top of the box. The Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder’s strike gave the United States the most goals in a single game in federation history in a men’s World Cup.
Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan was available on the U.S. bench but did not feature.
The U.S. sits atop Group D after one match with Australia set to play Türkiye on Saturday night in Vancouver, Canada. The U.S. will take on Australia on Matchday 2 at Seattle Stadium on June 19 while Paraguay will battle Türkiye in San Francisco.
The Game Belongs to the People
After the World Cup, keep the soccer celebration going with Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers on June 16. Tickets start at just $20.26, making the biggest match of the year one of the easiest ways to experience Seattle soccer live.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Flying start
In the best-ever half under Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino, and arguably in federation history given the stage, the United States wasted no time putting their foot on the gas. The U.S. put a stake in the ground and are in the driver’s seat to advance out of Group D.
Balogun makes history
Balogun became the first U.S. player since the inaugural World Cup in 1930 to score multiple goals in a World Cup match. He now has 11 goals in 28 caps.
Back on home soil
The United States are hosting the World Cup for the first time in 32 years since welcoming the globe in 1994. The 1994 FIFA World Cup served as a catalyst to spark the foundation and support of Major League Soccer in 1996.
